The Last Good Man by Kathleen Eagle

Savannah Stephens, a lingerie catalog model, returns to her hometown with a daughter and some painful history only to have rekindled a romance with Clay, the epitome of the perfect man.



Rating: One 1/2 Stars *^

Genre: Romance

Awards: Winner of the Rendezvous Online Rosebud Award
One of Library Journal 's Five Best Romances of 2000
A Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Finalist

Summary: After living the glamorous life in the big city as a lingerie catalog model, Savannah Stephens returns to her home town of Sunbonnet, Wyoming where the horses roam free and she can find solitude with her six-year old daughter Claudia and from a painful history of breast cancer that she is still striving to emotionally recover from. It's a small town and everyone has heard of her return, but no one knows why she came back from such a glamorous life. Her one high school love, Clay has found her again, and won't give up his love for her until their relationship is rekindled.

Evaluation: The first chapter introduced Savannah in an interesting light. She was the town beauty and it did set up the inquisitiveness to find out why she returned to the small town from the big city. I read through the first 100 pages (I made it to page 105!) and had to put the book down. The only climatic parts were Savannah's sex scenes with Clay, but her character was obnoxious, Clay was overly predictable, and Claudia sounded more like a know-it-all 20 year old, rather than the intelligent six year old that she was supposed to be. The pace and language felt dumbed down and I did not want to find out if Clay won Savannah's heart - which I am sure he did!

Read-a-likes: Montana Sky by Nora Roberts
Rocky Mountain Widow by Jillian Hart
You Belong to Me (Montana Mavericks: Return to Big Sky Country) by Jennifer Greene

Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder (Hannah Swensen Mysteries) by Joanne Fluke

After the murder of her deliveryman, Hannah seeks to find the killer before her cookies get the bad rap.



Rating: Three 1/2 Stars***^

Genre: Culinary Mystery

Summary: Hannah Swensen is a baker and owner of "The Cookie Jar" in the small town of Lake Eden. When her delivery driver, Ron, fails to make his morning rounds, Hannah Swensen finds his murdered in seat of his pick up with her scattered cookies laying around. In search to defend the reputation of her cookies and help her deputy friend, Bill, earn a promotion, Hannah takes initiative to following a trail of clues to find Ron's killer.

Evaluation: The best treat about this book are the cookie recipes. Hannah is also an admirable character because of her independent attitude, playful feline with human tendencies, and eccentric matchmaker of a mother. The flaws in the story is that Hannah seems too separated from mourning for Ron's death and the time sequence of events are out of place, but it is still a deliciously entertaining read.

Read-a-likes: Goldy Culinary Mysteries series by Diane Mott Davidson
Chocoholic Mystery series by JoAnna Carl
Sprinkle with Murder
(Cupcake Bakery Mystery
series) by Jenn McKinlay

Singularity Sky by Charles Stross

The New Republic is seeking help from Earth when their isolated colony is under attack from the information plague.



Rating: Three Stars***

Genre: Science Fiction

Awards: Nominated for the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 2004

Summary: The New Republic is a colony that has isolated itself from the Eschaton, a super human artificial intelligence that has infiltrated the minds of humans into releasing any kind of information in exchange for any desired goods. Martin Springfield and Rachel Mansour have traveled to the New Republic from Earth, which has gone under Singularity, where the Eschaton rules. Martin is hired by the New Republic to upgrade their warships, while Rachel is there to serve as counter intelligence. Both have been assigned conflicting tasks by their authorities in the warfare between colonies.

Evaluation: The writing is dense and is slow paced, even though it encompasses many battle scenes. The love interest and conflicting roles between Martin and Rachel adds a bit of complexity and relief to the heavy laden plot, but the overtake of information by the Eschaton is the selling point of the story.

Read-a-likes:The Last Colony by John Scalzi
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

The Leopard by Giuseppe Di Lampedusa and Archibald Colquhoun

Giribaldi's army invasion of Sicily challenges the life and luxury for the Prince of Salina, as well as in of the land.



Rating: Two Stars**

Genre: Historical Fiction

Summary: Set in 1860, Don Frabrizio is the Prince of Sicily who lives in luxury with his wife and many children. Outside of his lavish life of indulgences, women, and politics, the Giribaldi army is invading Sicily, which puts his governance and household in jeopardy. The book focuses on the rapidly changing political and social orders in 19th century Italy.

Evaluation: I was given a recommendation of this book which is why I chose to read it, but only made it through the first 90 pages. The pace was very slow and descriptive. The historical setting of Sicily is decent, but the translation bored me to tears. On that note here is an evaluation from an editor on Oprah.com. I think this is a valid reaction:

I wouldn't give a damn about the world of this book were it not for the fact that Lampedusa draws you into it in such an intoxicating fashion. The descriptions of 19th-century Sicily were written with such melancholy, honesty and lack of sentimentality that I found myself thinking this era was the most important thing. What blew me away, though, were the passages about death. Extraordinary. The prince, whose family is part of the dying aristocracy, says sleep is what the Sicilians want. They don't want anything forward looking. All their magnificent history and the things they worship—their cathedrals and castles and heritage—are things Sicilians love only because they're dead. It's a romance with sleep and death—a desire for what he calls voluptuous immobility.
— Colin Firth

Read-a-likes: Little Novels of Sicily by Giovanni Verga

Blockade Billy by Stephen King

In 1957, William "Blockade Billy" Blakely was the best baseball player in the league, except he was erased from the records for his deadly secret.



Rating: Three Stars ***

Genre: Suspense - Thriller (Sports)

Summary: In the old times of baseball, William Blakely was signed up like players others were. When they needed someone to play the position, they sought the first person that looked like they were able. William Blakely signed up to play with the Titans and he was so good he broke every record in the league and was known to Iowa's fans as "Blockade Billy". His agreeable personality and talent at the plate made him an overnight star, except when the manager finds out that Billy's repetitive dialogue and his third person conversations to himself has other questioning his sanity. The murder of the real William Blakely and his family by this all-star intruder had him erased from the minds of fans and obliterated from baseball's history.

Evaluation: Stephen King is the interviewer for this story, and the third person narrative from the Titan's old baseball manager gives it such a realistic feel that it made me want to see if this William Blakely aka "Blockade Billy" was a real person. This is a great book for any fan of baseball, but even though I am not thrilled about the sport, I found myself in suspense to find why this character was wiped out from existence. Its a great escape into the old era of baseball and quick read for a pump of adrenaline.

Read-a-likes: Rum Point: A Baseball Novel by Rick Wilber
Bottom of the Ninth by Peter Spring
The New Paltz Outlaws: A story of sex, violence and baseball by Farrell Kaye

The Killer Inside Me by Jim Thompson

Lou is a small town sheriff that has the sickness to kill, but his ordinary charm hinders the suspicion of his peers.



Rating: Five Stars*****

Genre: Mystery - Crime

Summary: Lou Reed is a sheriff in a small Texas town, and an undercover sociopath that has been repressing his dark urges to kill. Lou's cliche expressions, average personality, and decent looks have women loathing after him, but these instances are what trigger the sickness , which sends Lou on a killing spree. His repertoire in the police department leads him to cover up and frame others for his murders, but the clues gradually start to unravel his crimes.

Evaluation: This story is noir classic that switches the roles of a typical mystery where the reader can see through the eyes of the killer, rather than the detective. A great read for those who are especially consumed by the Dexter television series, or those who like to read psychological thrillers. A break through novel for its time.

Read-a-likes: Darkly Dreaming Dexter and other books in the series by Jeff Lindsay
Shoot the Piano Player and other books by David Goodis
The Big Nowhere by James Ellroy

Interesting facts about the novel: Adapted to a film in 1976, then once again in 2010 starring Casey Affleck and Jessica Alba.

Embroideries by Marjane Satrapi

Tea time reveals the secrets that Iranian women only share amongst each other about men in their lives.



Rating: Three Stars***

Genre: Graphic Novel - Memoir

Awards: Nominated for the Angoulême Album of the Year award in 2003

Summary: Marjane Satrapi has tea with her grandmother, her mother, their closest relatives, and friends. What starts as an innocent sharing of stories about the past and present men in their lives, turns into a personalized account of relationships and the degradation that Iranian women face once they have lost their virginity. The stories shared expose the constrained liberation that Iranian women express amongst themselves and each other. The term 'embroidery' refers to the stitching of the labia to give the impression of a virgin.

Evaluation: Marjane Satrapi is a talented storyteller, but her graphics are often too simplified and do not contribute to the story line like graphic novels should. She is still able to capture the customs and politics that surround the Iranian culture with an endearing memories of childhood and family.

Read-a-likes: Percepolis 1 & 2 by Marjane Satrapi
Funny in Farsi: A Memoir of Growing Up Iranian by Firoozeh Dumas

Tell No One - Harlan Coben

A message has Dr. David Beck on the search for the true whereabouts of his wife's murder.



Rating: Four 1/2 Stars****^

Genre: Suspense - Thriller

Summary: Dr. David Beck receives a cryptic email that only he can figure out. The message reveals that there is a possibility that his deceased wife and soul mate Elizabeth may still be alive, except that he can "Tell No One". The dangerous puzzle of secrets has Dr. Beck accused of her murder and a gang of henchmen searching to murder him as well. The corruption of family and police tied alibis is a gripping, graphic story that will leave you questioning the real killer until the very end.

Evaluation: This book has a diverse cast of characters with a quick, plot thickening pace. The story thrives in climaxes and twists that will keep readers' hearts rapidly beating until the late hours of the night.

Read-a-likes:No Place Like Home by Mary Higgins Clark
Reacher Series by Lee Child
Everywhere that Mary Went
by Lisa Scottoline

The Minority Report by Philip K. Dick

The integrity of the prophylactic Precrime structure is on the line when Police Commissioner John Anderton is the identified as the next in line to murder.



Rating: Three Stars***

Genre: Science Fiction

Summary: Since the Precrime structure was enabled five years ago, the city hasn't seen a murder. The precogs, a team of people that can see into the future to identify criminals before they can do any harm, have named Police Commissioner John Anderton as the next killer. This has all of the city on the man hunt for Andertson. He doesn't want to end up in detention and knows that he does not have the intent to murder, but with the integrity of the system in jeopardy he makes the leap to prove that is it right.

Evaluation: The story is a great introduction to reader's who are new to sci-fi and the writing of Philip K. Dick. The story is better presented in a collective volume of other shorts, but the plot is entertainingly mind bending.

Read-a-likes: Short stories by J.G. Ballard
Other works by Philip K. Dick
I, Robot by Isaac Asimov

The City and the Pillar: A Novel by Gore Vidal

Jim and Bob are all American teens who spend their last night of summer together. Jim leaves home in search of Bob, his only love.



Rating: Four Stars****

Genre: GLBT

Summary: Jim and Bob are a handsome pair. They are popular for their looks and athleticism, and all the women wish to be with them. Even though Bob talks about liking women and even has a girlfriend, Jim has fantasies about Bob. One night these fantasies come true when Bob and Jim spend their last night of summer in a cabin retreat because Bob will be graduating soon from high school. A night of playful wrestling turned into three days of affection between the two. Bob leaves to New York, and once Jim graduates the following year, he leaves in search of him. After an unsuccessful search, he joins the service and lives a life experimenting and living with Shaw, a closeted Hollywood star. He also meets and is lives with a tormented writer, Sullivan, but then leaves him because he cannot come to terms with being without Bob. After years away from home, Jim finally reunites with Bob that leads to a tragic ending.

Evaluation: As one of the first novels about homosexuality, the story is contemporary and interestingly relevant. Jim is often hit on by women, and even though he never comes out as being 'gay', he can never sleep with a woman and his liveliness only shows for Bob.

Read-a-likes: Blackbird by Larry Duplechan and Michael Nava
Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin
Gore Vidal: Sexually Speaking: Collected Sex Writings 1960-1998

The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven by Sherman Alexie

These dark and humorous short stories speak about family life, childhood memories, and the absurdly grim reality of life on the Spokane Indian Reservation.



Rating: Five Stars*****

Genre: Western

Awards: Hemingway Foundation/PEN Award: Best First Book of Fiction Citation Winner
Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Writers' Award
The Best American Short Stories 1994 includes "This is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona"

Summary: A collection of twenty- two interlinked tales are alcohol laden and conveys themes of family life, tragedy, and mythicism. A couple of most memorable stories include one told from a son's perspective about a father who used to come home drunk and fight with his mother, as well as blast Jimi Hendricks playing the Star Spangled Banner on cassette tape. Another is about the trial of a compulsive story teller "Thomas Builds-the-Fire" who his peers are embarrassed of in other stories for his tall tales, but once in jail vows to be silent for an accused murder.

Evaluation: The interlinked stories are some of the most unique, and grimly funny fiction that reveal the life of living on a reservation. Alexie is one of the best storytellers around.

Read-a-likes: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian (Young Adult) and other books by Sherman Alexie

Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern

After being dumped by his live in girlfriend, 28 year old Justin Halpern moves back into the nest with his 78 year old father, and revisits his childhood of comical obscenities and unconventional wisdom.



Rating: Four Stars ****

Genre: Humor - Memoir

Summary: Justin Halpern has moved back in with his parents, which isn't at all uncommon nowadays. His up bringing by a painfully honest father is normal for him, but humorously unconventional for many. Justin started 'twittering' his dad's lewd words of advice and found that his account had accumulated an overnight following of almost 2 million readers. In the book, Justin recalls his childhood and the lessons learned growing up with his father. The profane musings may be offensive to some, but are hilarious to others.

Evaluation: The book is a short, witty read packed with punchlines and memories of Justin's unique relationship with his father. Many of his comments are laugh out loud funny and each have a tinge of insight. The book is not for the overly sensitive, and many comments have to be taken for face value. The book is worthwhile for his father's sadistically entertaining comments, and for the outlandish tales between a father and son. Justin's dad has said what many parents want to say, but don't allow themselves to.

Read-a-likes: Awkward Family Photos by Mike Bender
Passive Aggressive Notes: Painfully Polite and Hilariously Hostile
Writings by Kerry Miller
My Horizontal Life: A Collection of One-Night Stands
by Chelsea Handler



Sh*t My Dad Says tarted as a twitter account and is now a CBS show starring William Shatner.

http://twitter.com/shitmydadsays

CBS Sh*t My Dad Says Episode Highlights

Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson

An evangelical upbringing challenges Jeanette's identity to follow the rules set by her mother and the church or her heart for another woman.



Rating: Three 1/2 Stars ***^

Genre: Fiction - GLBT themes

Awards: 1985 Whitbread Award for a First Novel

Summary: Jeanette is the adopted daughter of an protestant mother, who is evangelical and deamed odd by the standards by the rest of the community. Nonetheless, Jeanette is raised in the church and is destined to become a missionary. She feels this is her calling, until her relationship blooms with a close church friend Melanie, which has her mother and Pastor Finch saying prayers and casting out her demons.

Evaluation: The novel incorporates GLBT subjects and appears to be autobiographical, but the plot is centered around a girls conservative, quirky upbringing by a strange, overly religious and controlling mother. The setting and time period, as well as the integration of protestant ideas, make the story interesting and engrossing. What sold short was the emotions that Jeanette had for the other women in her life, which was expected in a book presented as a 'queer' novel. It itself, Jeanette stirs up in her readers, emotions of bitterness for those who try to control her and liberation when she succumbs to her true identity.

Read-a-likes: Art & Lies by Jeannette Winterson
Wayward Girls and Wicked Women: An Anthology of Subversive Stories by Various and Angela Carter
Essential Acker: the selected writings of Kathy Acker

TV Series Information (1989)

Interesting fact about the novel via Interview with Jeanette Winterson:
Do you think of Oranges as a lesbian novel?

No. It's for anyone interested in what happens at the frontiers of common-sense. Do you stay safe or do you follow your heart? I've never understood why straight fiction is supposed to be for everyone, but anything with a gay character or that includes gay experience is only for queers. That said, I'm really glad the book has made a difference to so many young women.